Structual Adaptations Thick skin- Earthwoms have thicker skin with many small pores that excrete mucus which diffues oxygen which is then taken through the skin and is released into the blood stream. The thicker skin provides better protection from predators and from the sun aswell. Because the earthworm is now allowed longer time in the sun its skin has changed from the pinky brown of the Common Earthworm to a darker brown colour.
Spines on back- Due to the longer periods time spent above ground Earthworms are largly exposed to prey such as birds like Wild Turkey and and lizards such as Frilled Neck Lizard and Meuse River Lizard. Earthworms are able to protect themselves with the spines on their backs. Like echidnas the spines face the backside of the worm and there for the back of the worm is a smoothe surface when petting form the head to the tail. This makes it possible for earhtworms to move through the earth. Unlike echidnas, earthworms can make their spines point straight up when they feel they are in danger.
Behavioral Adaptations Spend more time above ground- Earthworms spend a large amount of time above ground, mostly during early morning and late afternoon to avoid drying out and dieing, to search for mates and for better food. Earthworms prefer to eat the vegitation above ground but can also eat the dirt underground. Their preference of above ground vegitation does not have positive effects on agriculture. Earthworms prefer to eat the above ground vegitation because there is no nutrience in the dirt for the earthworms due to the large amount of polution from the human population.
More agressive- Beacause of the large risk of being attacked by a predator, earthworms are more protective of themselves and of their mates therefore being more agressive towards an attacker. They may use the spines on their backs and heads defencivly or to scare off their attackers by pricking them.
Physiological Adaptations Internal clitellum- The thick skin of earthworms make it impossible for them to breath through their skin like the Common Earthworm. Instead they breath through many tiny pores on their skin. Diffusion of oxygen wouldnt be possible without the moist mucas in and over the pores. This means that the Clitellum is underneith the thick layer of skin like sweat glands in a human. These pores keep the worm moist and allows for it to breath.
Habitat
Earthworms prefer to live in warm moist areas such as rainforrests, swamps and backyards in countried such as America, Australia and southern parts of Europe. Earthworms show preference to shaded areas with lots of vegitation and clay soils but can live in the sun for moderate periods of time if there is a water source near by. Earthworms can live above or underground, but prefer above ground.
The Spiney Earthworm
Lumbricus corseletThick skin- Earthwoms have thicker skin with many small pores that excrete mucus which diffues oxygen which is then taken through the skin and is released into the blood stream. The thicker skin provides better protection from predators and from the sun aswell. Because the earthworm is now allowed longer time in the sun its skin has changed from the pinky brown of the Common Earthworm to a darker brown colour.
Spines on back- Due to the longer periods time spent above ground Earthworms are largly exposed to prey such as birds like Wild Turkey and and lizards such as Frilled Neck Lizard and Meuse River Lizard. Earthworms are able to protect themselves with the spines on their backs. Like echidnas the spines face the backside of the worm and there for the back of the worm is a smoothe surface when petting form the head to the tail. This makes it possible for earhtworms to move through the earth. Unlike echidnas, earthworms can make their spines point straight up when they feel they are in danger.
Behavioral Adaptations
Spend more time above ground- Earthworms spend a large amount of time above ground, mostly during early morning and late afternoon to avoid drying out and dieing, to search for mates and for better food. Earthworms prefer to eat the vegitation above ground but can also eat the dirt underground. Their preference of above ground vegitation does not have positive effects on agriculture. Earthworms prefer to eat the above ground vegitation because there is no nutrience in the dirt for the earthworms due to the large amount of polution from the human population.
More agressive- Beacause of the large risk of being attacked by a predator, earthworms are more protective of themselves and of their mates therefore being more agressive towards an attacker. They may use the spines on their backs and heads defencivly or to scare off their attackers by pricking them.
Physiological Adaptations
Internal clitellum- The thick skin of earthworms make it impossible for them to breath through their skin like the Common Earthworm. Instead they breath through many tiny pores on their skin. Diffusion of oxygen wouldnt be possible without the moist mucas in and over the pores. This means that the Clitellum is underneith the thick layer of skin like sweat glands in a human. These pores keep the worm moist and allows for it to breath.
Habitat
Earthworms prefer to live in warm moist areas such as rainforrests, swamps and backyards in countried such as America, Australia and southern parts of Europe. Earthworms show preference to shaded areas with lots of vegitation and clay soils but can live in the sun for moderate periods of time if there is a water source near by. Earthworms can live above or underground, but prefer above ground.
Earthwroms
Modern Earthworm
Ancient Earthworm